We hiked from Box Canyon to the high point just before Indian Bar with Phyllis and Tami on a glorious late summer day. The trail is part of the Wonderland Trail and was in great shape. We hiked a little over 13 miles and 3852 feet of elevation gain. We enjoyed some new to us views of Mt Rainier and it was the first harder hike that Tami had ever done.
The next week Pam, Chris L and I hiked up the Ira Spring Trail to Mason Lake and Mt Defiance and logged another 12 miles and over 4000 feet of elevation gain. Again, the trails were in great shape although some signage at Mason Lake would help hikers find their way to the continuing trails to Mt Defiance, Pratt Lake and others.
We took a wrong turn that cost us a little walk through a mucky marsh and a mile or so. We did make the peak and were treated to great 360 degree views.
Yesterday Pam and I headed up Crystal Lakes Trail and decided to hike through to the Pacific Crest Trail at Sourdough Gap. Once there we decided to hike out to Chinook Pass on the PCT and then come back. All in all we managed 14.5 miles and 4155 feet of elevation gain and were on the trail for just over 6 hours total time.
The trails and views were just as great as the last 2 hikes and we ended up with 40.92 miles and 12,012 feet of elevation gain for our efforts bringing our yearly totals to 452.76 miles and 105,261 feet of elevation gain.
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| The Chinook Pass end of the trail. |
While the weather is still acting like summer we will keep knocking out the best late summer hikes we can, but we know it will be time for rain pants and snowshoes soon enough.
Be very well and more soon (I promise).....
